• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.1250-1258
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• 2021

In this paper, the mechanical performance of cracked surface-coated Zircaloy cladding, which has different coating materials, coating thicknesses and initial crack lengths, has been investigated. By analyzing the stress field near the crack tip, the safety zone range of initial crack length has been decided. In order to determine whether the crack can propagate along the radial (r) or axial (z) directions, the energy release rate has been calculated. By comparing the energy release rate with fracture toughness of materials, we can divide the initial crack lengths into three zones: safety zone, discussion zone and danger zone. The results show that Cr is suitable coating material for the cladding with a thin coating while Fe-Cr-Al have a better fracture mechanical performance in the cladding with thick coating. The Si-coated and SiC-coated claddings are suitable for reactors with low power fuel elements. Conclusions in this paper can provide reference and guidance for the cladding design of nuclear fuel elements.

• International Journal of High-Rise Buildings
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.145-156
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• 2022

Application examples of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in the planning stage of high-rise buildings are introduced. First, we introduce examples of applications in the environmental field. The pedestrian wind environment was one of the earliest practical examples of CFD. CFD was also employed to validate the heat island mitigation measures proposed as part of the new construction plan. Second, application examples of wind-force evaluations are introduced. Prediction examples are presented for the peak wind pressure around a complex-shaped building and the wind force evaluation for a base-isolated building. The results prove that the results of the proper execution of CFD are equivalent to those of the wind tunnel experiment. As examples of CFD applications of other issues related to high-rise building planning, we introduce snow accretion on outer walls and high-temperature exhaust from emergency generators. Finally, the future prospects for the use of CFD are discussed.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.115-147
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• 2023

The Fukushima accident in 2011 revealed some major flaws in traditional nuclear fuel materials under accidental conditions. Thus, the focus of research has shifted toward "accident tolerant fuel" (ATF). The aim of this approach is to develop fuel material solutions that lead to improved reactor safety. The application of protective coatings on the surface of nuclear fuel cladding has been proposed as a near-term solution within the ATF framework. Many coating materials are being developed and evaluated. In this article, an overview of different zirconium-based alloys currently in use in the nuclear industry is provided, and their performances in normal and accidental conditions are discussed. Coating materials proposed by different institutions and organizations, their performances under different conditions simulating nuclear reactor environments are reviewed. The strengths and weaknesses of these coatings are highlighted, and the challenges addressed by different studies are summarized, providing a basis for future research. Finally, technologies and methods used to synthesize thin-film coatings are outlined.

• Current Optics and Photonics
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2023

This study reports a structure, based on a liquid-crystal (LC) core optical waveguide, for the switchable spatial control of linearly polarized light. The refractive indices of both left and right isotropic claddings in the waveguide are between the two principal-axis indices of the nematic liquid crystal (NLC). Numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed structure can be operated in transmission mode or as an attenuator by controlling the on and off states of the applied voltage, whether the initial excitation is transverse electric (TE) linearly polarized light or transverse magnetic (TM) linearly polarized light. The design can also be used as an integrated optical polarizer, since only one type of linearly polarized light is always permitted to pass through the core zone of the NLC optical waveguide.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.149-154
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• 2009

The microstructure, the corrosion behavior and the oxide properties were examined for Zr-1.5Nb-0.4Sn-0.2Fe-0.1Cr (HANA-4) alloys which were subjected to two different final annealing temperatures: $470^{\circ}C$ and $570^{\circ}C$. HANA-4 was shown to have $\ss$-enriched phase with a bcc crystal structure and Zr(Nb,Fe,Cr)$_2$ with a hcp crystal structure with $\ss$-enriched phase being more frequently observed compared with Zr(Nb,Fe,Cr)$_2$. The corrosion rate of HANA-4 was increased with an increase of the final annealing temperature in the PWR-simulating loop, $360^{\circ}C$ pure water and $400^{\circ}C$ steam conditions, which was correlated well with a reduction in the size of the columnar grains in the oxide/metal interface region. The oxide growth rate of HANA-4 was considerably affected by the alloy microstructure determined by the final annealing temperature.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.237-259
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• 2014

Wind-induced failure around screwed connections has been documented in roof and wall cladding systems made with steel sheet cold-formed panels during high wind events. Previous research has found that low cycle fatigue caused by stress concentration and fluctuating wind loads is responsible for most such failures. A dynamic load protocol was employed in this work to represent fatigue under wind effects. A finite element model and fatigue criteria were implemented and compared with laboratory experiments in order to predict the fatigue failure associated with fluctuating wind loads. Results are used to develop an analytical model which can be employed for the fatigue analysis of steel cold-formed cladding systems. Existing three dimensional fatigue criteria are implemented and correlated with fatigue damage observed on steel claddings. Parametric studies are used to formulate suitable yet simple fatigue criteria. Fatigue failure is predicted in different configurations of loads, types of connections, and thicknesses of steel folded plate cladding. The analytical model, which correlated with experimental results reported in a companion paper, was validated for the fatigue life prediction and failure mechanism of different connection types and thicknesses of cold-formed steel cladding.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.471-481
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• 2003

In order to evaluate the microstructural characteristics of irradiated fuel claddings (Zircaloy-4), two irradiated specimens having different burnups (18 GWD/MTU and 42 GWD/MTU) were prepared from the G23-M4 fuel rods, which were loaded in Kori Unit 1 for 4 fuel cycles. The oxide thickness, hydride morphology and hardness change were characterized by an optical microscope and a micro-hardness tester after preparing the irradiated specimens in the PIE (Post Irradiation Examination) facilities. The dislocation loops and the amorphous transformation of precipitates induced by the neutron irradiation in the nuclear plant were also examined by a TEM. As the burnup increased from 18 GWD/MTU to 42 GWD/MTU, the oxide thickness increased from $6.0{\mu}m\;to\;25.3{\mu}m$ and the contents of hydrogen pick-up in the Zr matrix also greatly increased. In the comparison of the hardness of the unirradiated fuel cladding, the amount of hardness increase was nearly $9.3\%\;and\;24.2\%$ for the irradiated samples of 18 and 42 GWD/MTU, respectively. Both -type dislocation loops and -type dislocation components were observed simultaneously in the irradiated specimens and the densities of the dislocation was increased by increasing the burnup. The precipitates in both the irradiated specimens were amorphously transformed by the neutron irradiation and the trend of the amorphous transformation of the precipitates was enhanced at a higher burnup.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.279-284
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• 2004

In this study, we suggested the ring creep test using the ring specimen of Arsene for estimating the burst creep properties of the cladding in stead of burst creep test. For this objective, we used the load-displacement conversion relationship of ring specimen called LCRR which had been determined on our previous study at high temperature by performing the ring tensile test and the numerical analysis. Then we carried out both the ring creep test and the burst creep test between 350 $^{\circ}C$ and 600$^{\circ}C$ which were higher then the in-service temperature of the cladding in a reactor. The creep properties from the ring creep test with applying LCRR were compared with those from the burst creep test of closed-end specimens. From the results, it could be seen an very strong relationship between them, especially in Larson- Miller parameter. So, it is expected that we can easily anticipate the creep properties of not only claddings but also various small pressure pipes using the ring creep test.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.29 no.7 s.238
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• pp.964-969
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• 2005

In this study, we suggested the ring creep test using the ring specimen of Arsene for estimating the burst creep properties of the cladding in stead of burst creep test. For this objective, we used the load-displacement conversion relationship of ring specimen called LCRR which had been determined on our previous study at high temperature by performing the ring tensile test and the numerical analysis. Then we carried out both the ring creep test and the burst creep test between $350^{\circ}C$ and $600^{\circ}C$ which were higher than the in-service temperature of the cladding in a reactor. The creep properties from the ring creep test with applying LCRR were compared with those from the burst creep test of closed-end specimens. From the results, it could be seen an very strong relationship between them, especially in Larson-Miller parameter. So, it is expected that we can easily predict the creep properties of not only claddings but also various small pressure pipes using the ring creep test.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.2565-2571
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• 2020

Background: Understanding the behaviour of nuclear fuel claddings by conducting burst test on single cladding tube under simulated loss-of-coolant accident conditions and developing theoretical cum empirical predictive computer codes have been the focus of several investigations. The developed burst criterion (a) assumes symmetrical deformation of cladding tube in contrast to experimental observation (b) interpolates the properties of Zircaloy-4 cladding in mixed α+β phase (c) does not account for azimuthal temperature variations. In order to overcome all these drawbacks of burst criterion, it is reasoned that artificial intelligence technique may be a better option to predict the burst parameters. Methods: Artificial neural network models based on feedforward backpropagation algorithm with logsig transfer function are developed. Results: Neural network architecture of 2-4-4-3, that is model with two hidden layers having four nodes in each layer is found to be the most suitable. The mean, maximum, and minimum prediction errors for this optimised model are 0.82%, 19.62%, and 0.004%, respectively. Conclusion: The burst stress, burst temperature, and burst strain obtained from burst criterion have average deviation of 19%, 12%, and 53% respectively whereas the developed neural network model predicted these parameters with average deviation of 6%, 2%, and 8%, respectively.